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Katy Trail Journals and Trip Reports

The next best thing to riding, hiking, or running the Katy Trail, is reading about the experiences
of others who have. There's something to learn from each one.
Reports are listed in chronological order based on time of trip, most recent first.

Share your story! Please contact us if you have a
report, essay, or journal about your Katy Trail experience, that you'd like to see listed here.

Author: Karl Brand
When: Annually in September
Where: Clinton to St Louis
Written for the author's cycling buddies in Houston, this travelogue for an annual September trip includes photos, maps, elevation info, and recommendations.

[This is a Word document with lots of photos - it may take a couple minutes to download and open, after clicking the link. It's worth the wait.]

Author: Betsy Lubis
When: July 2017
Where: Kirkwood to Pleasant Hill
A train ride from Kansas City to Kirkwood, followed by a bike ride back including the Rock Island trail. Lots of interesting people, places, and observations along the way.

Author: Kim
When: September, 2006
Where: Clinton to St Charles
Two friends enjoy the scenery and overcome flat tires on an end-to-end tour. Includes photos and discussion of businesses along the trail.

Author: Greg
When: Late summer 2006
Where: Clinton to McKittrick
Greg set out to walk the Katy, recording his thoughts and experiences in this blog. It's a fascinating narrative that will make you want to experience the trail from the intimate perspective of a hiker.

Author: Moni
When: May 2006
Where: St Louis to Boonville & beyond
As part of a longer tour with "Lewis & Clark", the author followed the original L&C route up the Missouri River using the Katy Trail. See days 2-5 for Katy Trail.

Author: Jerry and Jeanette
When: October 15-23, 2005
Where: Clinton to St Louis Airport
The authors came up with a unique transportation solution for their tandem bike, using a U-haul trailer. Lots of photos and helpful recommendations.

Author: Jennifer Popham
When: October 10-14 2005
Where: Clinton to St Charles
A 70 year old dad and 28 year old daughter ride end to end, discovering that dangers of the trail are not so dangerous after all

Author: Joe "Metal Cowboy" Kurmaskie
When: Summer 2005
Where: Entire trail... and (far) beyond
The famed author rode the Katy during a coast-to-coast tour with his two young sons... and found it to be one of his all-time favorite rides!

Author: Sarah McGregor
When: June 2005
Where: Clinton to St Charles
A pair of Colorado natives endured the summer heat by day, and enjoyed some of Missouri's finest B&Bs by night. Some great advice from all aspects of their tour.

When: June 20-27, 2005
Where: Clinton to St Charles
MO House Speaker Rod Jetton rode end-to-end to promote the Katy Trail, and the health and fitness of Missourians. This page offers a collection of articles about the ride.

Author: Troy Ratliff
When: April 2004, with Sept & Nov followup
Where: Cinton to Hermann, with later ride to Weldon Spring
The author's first multiday trip. He encounters interesting people and animals, and works out the logistics of taking the train and shuttle.

Author: Coll & Ted
When: June 2003
Where: Jefferson City to St Charles (& beyond)
Actually a cross-country bike tour, the riders spent four days on the Katy Trail. You'll enjoy the reading about rest of the trip too.

Author: Andy
When: Summer 2003
Where: Hermann to St Charles x
Their 2002 adventure was so great (see ride report below) that they came back for more! More interesting places, more interesting people ("Blue Eyes" was a bit too interesting).

Author: Norman D. Ford
When: October 2002
Where: End to end (east-west)
[Katy Trail report starts halfway down the page]
Norm's commentary has many useful hints and warnings. Browse his website for extensive information on bike touring in Germany.

Author: Marilyn Hedges and Mike Sorensen
When: May 23 - June 1, 2002
Where: St Charles-Clinton-Sedalia-Amtrak-Washington-St Charles
How do seasoned bike tourists follow up a cross-country expedition? By riding a round-trip on the Katy Trail, including Sedalia to Washington on the train.

Author: John Trower
When: Spring 2001
Where: Sedalia to St Charles
After spending five days on the trail with his father, John Trower wrote a series of articles about their experience for the St Charles Journal.